Series of poultry products in Maple Leaf recall

The list of products that was recalled from the
Canadian company Maple Leaf Foods this week contains several poultry products,
marketed in different brands.

The Canadian food processor recalled all its products made at the Toronto
plant, manufactured from January 2008, since a link has been determined between
a strain of Listeria bacteria found at one of Maple Leaf's plants outside of
Toronto. The strain caused illness and at least 15 people to lose their lives,
after which the plant itself was temporarily closed down.

The product recall list includes chicken and turkey products under the
Maple Leaf brand, but also under various other brand names, like Artisan
Collection, Bittners/Schneiders, Compliments, Deli Gourmet, Generic, McDonald's
and Schneiders. A full list of recalled products can be found here.

Responsibility

The Canadian food processor took full responsibility for the outbreak,
which is thought to have been caused by a shipment of bad ready-to-eat meat
products. Maple Leaf says it has no evidence that the bacteria could have spread
beyond two initial lines that were identified as being linked to affected
product.

Recall

The recall began on 17 August when the company announced it was recalling
beef products due to Listeria contamination. The recall was expanded on 20
August to various other processed meat products.

Two days later, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health
Agency of Canada concluded that the strain of Listeria found in the first two
beef products matched the strain involved in two cases of food-borne illness. As
a result, Maple Leaf Foods expanded the recall once more, now including all
products produced at the plant.

Sympathy

Maple Leaf sent out press releases recently and offered 'deep and sincere
sympathy to those who are ill, or who have lost loved ones, on behalf of the
23,000 people of Maple Leaf Foods who live a culture of food safety'.

It is expected that the number of confirmed and suspected cases will
continue to increase over the next several weeks. It is estimated that the
recall will cost the approx. CAN$20 mln (US$19 mln), which will be primarily
incurred for the reimbursement for returned products. Financial losses however
are thought to turn out larger, since the company has become the target of a
class action lawsuit.